Darlene Ticer Gavenda

1934 - 2024

Darlene Ticer Gavenda, 89 years young, of Austin, Texas, passed away on February 19, 2024, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

Darlene was born on December 6, 1934 to Hilra and Flora Ticer in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The family moved to Rio Hondo, Texas in 1935, where she grew up. Darlene helped raise her three younger brothers in between playing 6-member-team basketball, being class secretary, being president of the pep squad, and working 40 hours/week as a magneto-switchboard operator. After graduating from Rio Hondo High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Steven Gavenda, on July 4,1953.

Darlene and Steven had two children, Beverly and Steve. In 1958, the family moved to Austin, Texas. Darlene soon got a job at The University of Texas International Office, where she worked and advanced her position over the next 32 years serving as Foreign Student Advisor and Assistant Director. Darlene also worked with Fulbright Scholars and with Peace Corps training. She graduated from St. Edward's University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies. Her students would often bring her gifts from all over the world, each with a story she would happily tell when asked. She made many lasting friendships and had an impact on the thousands of students that came through her office. Upon retirement in 1995, the International Office named a conference room in her honor. She helped care for her parents and Steven's mother after her retirement.

Darlene was a woman of strong faith, rarely missing Sunday service at University Baptist Church which she joined in the early 1960s. In addition to serving on church council as recently as last year, she served as a deacon, managed the church kitchen, volunteered with the children, led in worship, and provided a steady and generous presence in countless other ways, both seen and unseen. She cared deeply for her friends, and, together with her husband, provided transportation and companionship to many.

With a loving heart, Darlene could mend more than just garments, made a delicious cornbread dressing, and gave the best hugs. She was the most caring grandmother to all her grands and greats and made all feel welcome. Darlene was a fierce bridge player and had a close group of bridge friends for over 60 years. She never met a stranger, always helping anyone in need. She was a member of the Austin Ethnic Assn and then a valuable member of the Austin Czech Historical Assn. She loved to travel. She traveled with her job, with her family, and with her friends. Darlene and Steven traveled to Taiwan twice and Hong Kong, Germany, four times to Czechoslovakia(CSSR) and then the Czech Republic, and to a lot of the 50 states including to Missouri for the 2017 total solar eclipse. For years she met her 3 brothers and their families once a month for lunch halfway between Austin and Houston. Those lunches brought joy to all of us.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Hilra and Flora Ticer, and her brother, Bill Ticer. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Steven Gavenda; daughter, Beverly Gavenda; son, Steve Gavenda and his wife, Rachel; 3 grandchildren, Jessica (Tony), Sara (Steven), Michael (Angela); 6 great grandchildren, Stefan (Nadaia), Arianna (Derrick), Christopher, Lena, Ethan, Mara; 3 great great grandchildren, Lorenzo, Royce, Naomi; sisters-in-law Pat Ticer and Janie Gavenda; brothers, Tom Ticer, Jim Ticer, and Ken Ticer(Renette); many dear nieces and nephews and cousins; and friends and family around the world.

We love you to the moon and back, a bushel and a peck, a hug around the neck, and this much, this much, this much.

A memorial service will be held at University Baptist Church located at 2130 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX on March 16, 2024 at 1pm with a reception following. The family has requested that remembrances be made to Hospice Austin's Christopher House in honor of their excellent care or, the charity of your choice.